COLUMBIA, S.C. – Congressman James E. Clyburn today announced that $8 million in funding from the National Park Service (NPS) has been awarded to five South Carolina preservation projects through the Historic Preservation Fund’s African American Civil Rights Grant Program. The program supports the preservation of sites and stories that commemorate the struggle of African Americans to secure equal rights in the United States.
“I am pleased to see the National Park Service’s continued commitment to preserving the rich history of African Americans in South Carolina and across our nation,” said Congressman James E. Clyburn. “It is imperative that we continue to protect and celebrate the places, people, and stories that reflect one of the greatest struggles for justice and equality in American history.”
Congress provides funding for the African American Civil Rights Grant Program through the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF). Rather than relying on taxpayer dollars, the HPF is financed through revenue generated from federal oil and gas leases on the Outer Continental Shelf. These funds support a wide range of historic preservation initiatives, helping protect irreplaceable cultural and historical resources for future generations.
Established during the Obama Administration, the African American Civil Rights Grant Program has received funding every year since its inception. The program continues to preserve nationally significant sites and stories associated with the Civil Rights Movement and the ongoing pursuit of equal rights.
The National Park Service is expected to announce additional funding opportunities through the African American Civil Rights Grant Program later this summer.